Sometimes an idea comes along that is so good that people wonder why it took so long. This is one of those ideas.

There are many experts in political science who could add to public debates. The problem is finding them. Because journalists, panel organizers, and others tend to rely on informal networks and other ad hoc solutions, the experts are often men.

The site has been well-received by political scientists because it simultaneously raises awareness of political science and highlights women who are among the best and brightest in the field.

Now, if a panel organizer is male-only or if a journalist doesn’t interview a woman, they can’t use the excuse of not being able to find a woman.

The website includes 38 who are experts in Religion & Politics (I’ve included the list below). I don’t know all of the women on the list, but I know many of them. They’re top-notch scholars who really know their stuff.

@TobinGrant blogs for Religion News Service at Corner of Church and State, a data-driven conversation on religion and politics. He is a political science professor at Southern Illinois University and associate editor of the Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion.